contents
11.06-11.12
meet the team PUBLISHER Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Zebo ASSISTANT EDITOR Cheyenne Mueller PHOTOGRAPHER Asad Panjwani STAFF WRITERS Drew Knight Katie Lea Joshua Russell
MARKETING INTERNS Cody Carlsen Valeria Cenoz Daniella Delgado Cecilia Garcia Rachel Pickering Connie Song
Essentials: Listen Play Discover Look
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Cover:
Aaron Watson’s 12-year-long career has produced 11 albums and a dual-disk 8 CD/DVD. The “Honky Tonk Kid” makes his way to Boulevard 217 this Friday. Doors open at 8pm.
WRITING INTERNS Eunice De Luna Kate Williams DISTRIBUTION Cody Atkinson Lindsay Cox Randy Shepperd
Maroon Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.
Colors: 17 - Are you ready to
get colorful? Colorjam is bringing Green River Ordinance, Sunny Sweeney, Hudson Moore, and Hunter Todd to Wolf Pen Creek.
Bryan Batt: 6 - Best known for
his scene-stealing performance as Salvatore Romano in AMC’s Mad Men, Bryan Batt is performing a special cabaret show at Downtown 202.
What?!: 9 - A Chuck Norris lookalike gets robbed, the creator of the Operation board game needs an operation, and a Harry-Potter-themed hotel gives you the Hogwarts experience.
Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Maroon Weekly is not liable for omissions, misprints or typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher. © Copyright 2014 Campus Press LP
Music Reviews
Taylor Swift
Boys, slick back your hair; girls, throw on your high-waisted shorts: TSwift’s 1989 is now on the jukebox. Swift put her acoustic guitar in its case and ditched her melancholy break-up music with pop anthems. Her singles “Shake it Off” and “Welcome to New York” put fans into pop shock, but many more are eating it up. Without a single live drum, violin, or mandolin on the album, she’s made a clean break from the emotional rollercoaster Red to a sing-into-your hairbrush album. Although she caved in to the pop scene, she’s doing it without apology.
Album: 1989
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2014
Recommended Tracks: Shake It Off Welcome to New York
Brad Paisley Leighton Meester
“This Love” and “Clean” may ease the souls of fans that miss her heartbreak, tissue-grabbing music. On the pop side of things, some songs are lacking in lyrical depth, and some complain some tracks are far too repetitive, chanty, and By Kate Williams cliche. But maybe that’s the point: a fun album meant to lift you up rather than bring you down. After all, fun is often easy. She’s still dealing in romance and relationships, but this time with a smile. For country-Swift fans, songs on 1989 are nothing like staple heart-wrenchers “Back to December” or “Last Kiss”; so you’ll have to shake it off.
BradTrip Paisley Lee
BradTing Paisley The Tings
Album: Heartstrings
Album: Rise
Album: Super Critical
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2014
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2014
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2014
By Eunice De Luna
By Kate Williams
By Eunice De Luna
Gossip Girl’s very own Blair Waldorf has made the transition from television star to singer. Leighton Meester’s debut album, Heartstrings, was released on October 27. Not a stranger to the music industry, Meester has been featured in several songs such as “Good Girls Go Bad” by Cobra Starship and “Somebody to Love” featuring Robin Thicke. Meester signed a recording contract with Universal Republic and began working on an album in 2009. The album never came out. In 2012, Meester announced her collaborations with folk band Check in the Dark and stated that although she loved pop music, her heart belonged to folk music. Heartstrings features nine songs and was written by Meester and produced by Jeff Trott. The album features Meester’s sultry voice coupled with folk instrumentation, and she sounds like a folksy Lana Del Rey with a songwriter vibe.
Trip Lee--rapper, author, and pastor--believes his new release, Rise, is the “ultimate platform to spread a heartfelt message, relay invaluable lessons, and celebrate life in a palatable, potent form.” Rise and its companion book are meant to be a call to action from being spiritually dead to spiritually alive. “What if when I brag,” Lee says, “I’m not talking about me but I use everything in my life to point to God and honor Him? That was the idea. I point to how great He is.” Lee worked solely with one producer he always has trusted, Gawvi, for the entire album. While recording in his studio in Atlanta, the two sharpened one another’s skills. With soulful vocal delivery and hip hop breakbeats, the rapper fuses family-friendly verses with a genre notoriously...well, not synonymous with family-friendly. Over the past decade, Lee has released four full-length albums and two books.
pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov. 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
The Ting Tings, British dance-pop duo Katie White and Jules De Martino, have released their third album, Super Critical, after forming in December 2007. They’ve also released four singles on their current label, Columbia Records UK. In May 2008, their smash hit “That’s Not my Name” reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart. That same month, their debut album We Started Nothing hit #1 on the UK Albums chart. Their sophomore album, Sounds from Nowheresville, was released in February 2012. Super Critical starts with the self-titles song, a jazzfunk track with trumpets underpinning Katie singing “super critical girl taking over the world.” Their third album features nine songs all laced in retro dance pop/disco.
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979.314.1900 | live-thelofts.com maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 5
BATT ON A HOT TIN ROOF @ Downtown 202
OPAS is bringing television, film and stage star Bryan Batt to perform his acclaimed cabaret show “Batt On A Hot Tin Roof” on Friday, November 7 at Downtown 202 in Downtown Bryan. Best known for his scene-stealing, 2-time Screen Actor’s Guild Award-winning performance as creative director Salvatore Romano in AMC’s Mad Men, New Orleans native Bryan Batt is a veteran of the stage and screen most recently seen in the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave and Parkland. In addition to Mad Men, Bryan’s television credits include roles on FX’s Rescue Me, ABC’s Ugly Betty and NBC’s Law & Order: Criminal Intent. A Broadway veteran, his credits include La Cage Aux Folles, Beauty and The Beast, Seussical The Musical, Sunset Blvd., Saturday Night Fever, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Joseph… Dreamcoat, Starlight Express and Cats. OPAS Executive Director Anne Black says, “We’ve been looking for a way to contribute to the lively arts scene during First Fridays for a few years now and are very excited to kick-off what we hope to be a continuous presence in Downtown Bryan with this touching and hilarious cabaret by Bryan Batt.” Bryan has performed his cabaret act in some of the most popular cabaret rooms in the country, including The Metropolitan Room, 54 Below, Feinstein’s at the Regency, Rockwell on Vermont and Hotel Rex at Union Square. A dedicated activist and civic leader, Bryan Batt has contributed countless hours organizing and performing fundraisers in New York and New Orleans for a variety of non-profit organizations (including Habitat for Humanity) in an effort to re-build his hometown following hurricane Katrina. He currently serves on the boards of New Orleans AIDS Task force and Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. Tickets range in price from $55 to $100. Premium tickets include preferred seating, a meet and greet with Batt following the performance, and other benefits. Tickets are on sale now at the MSC Box Office, by phone at (979-845-1234) and online at www.MSCOPAS.org.
the scoop WHAT: BATT ON A HOT TIN ROOF WHERE: DOWNTOWN 202 WHEN: NOV. 7
pg 6 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
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HURRICANE HARRY’S By Kate Williams Randy Rogers Band and guest Zach Walther and The Cronkites will be performing at Hurricane Harry’s November 7 at 9pm. Randy Rogers is a Texas country favorite, and hits like “Kiss Me in The Dark”, “In My Arms Instead”, and “Buy Myself a Chance” have established the band as one of the most sought-after groups on the country circuit. The group released a new live album this year called Homemade Tamales- Live at Floores. A few favorites from the release are “Fuzzy” and “Satellite”, the latter song became a poignant music video this past July (YouTube it). With four studio albums and two live albums under their belt, they’ve shared the stage with The Eagles, Willie Nelson Dierks Bentley and Gary Allen. They’ve charted seven songs on the Billboard Hot Country chart the boys are renown for their high-energy performances. Formed in New Braunfels, Zach Walther and The Cronkites will be opening and playing songs off their new album Shake off the Fuzz, released October 7. Fans of The Lumineers and Josh Abbott will enjoy the group’s banjo picking and old-school country twang. On tour all over Texas and the Southwest, these guys have been busy on the road this year. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online harrys.bcsclubs.com.
the scoop WHAT: RANDY ROGERS W/ ZACH WALTHER AND THE CRONKITES WHERE: HURRICANE HARRY’S WHEN: NOV. 7 @ 9PM
The Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts
Randy Rogers
Hot Club of San Francisco presents
Cinema Vivant
Thursday, November 13, 2014 7 PM in Texas A&M Rudder Theatre
Tickets $5 Students, $10 General Admission Available at the MSC Box Office Call 979.845.1234 For more information, call 979.847.2787 avpa@tamu.edu v academyarts.tamu.edu w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / AV PA a t TA M U
It’s Time For
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, music 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 7 dance theatre visual art
Aaron Watson @ Boulevard 217 By Eunice De Luna
Texas country star Aaron Watson is performing at Boulevard 217 on Friday, November 7. Over his 12-year-long career, Watson has released 11 albums and a CD/DVD set. He was born in Amarillo and attended Abilene Christian University where, after a baseball injury, he decided to pick up a guitar. He drew inspiration from country legends George Strait, Chris Ledoux, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. He played shows around Texas and released his first album A Texas Café; shortly after, Shuttupanddance was released to regional success. In 2004, he released The Honky Tonk Kid, which was produced by Ray Benson and features Willie Nelson. The album gave him his nickname, which he still goes by today, The Honky Tonk Kid. In 2006, Watson, known for his faith, released a collection of gospel songs titled, Barbed Wire Halo. His most recent album, Real Good Time, released in October 2012, was inspired by an exceptional hardship in his life. Watson and his wife lost their fourth child months after her birth. It made Watson question if making country music was his true calling. He decided to leave it to God. After months of not playing or performing, he created a whole new album and moved forward. Watson will be joined by Austin based country group Cody Bryan Band. Their debut album, Wreck Me, is out now. Doors will open at 8pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at aaronwatson.com.
the scoop WHAT: AARON WATSON WHERE: BOULEVARD 217 WHEN: NOV. 7 pg 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Chuck Norris Doppelganger Tied Up and Robbed in His Own Home
Operation Board Game Creator Unable to Afford His Own Operation
SAO PAULO, Brazil – The Brazilian lookalike of martial arts superstar Chuck Norris was tied up and robbed inside his own home.
CHICAGO, Illinois – John Spinello earned his five minutes of fame as the inventor of the beloved board game Operation about 50 years ago. But now the 77-year-old man is in need of his own operation and he can’t afford to pay for it. Spinello, who holds the patent to the battery-operated game that turns the everyday person into a surgeon, sold the rights to his toy for only $500, and now he doesn’t have the cash to pay for his $25,000 oral surgery. On the plus side, a few of his toy-designing friends are attempting to help him raise the money to cover the bills through a crowdfunding campaign at Crowdrise.com. Additionally, a sister website, ILoveOperation.com, is selling copies of the game signed by Spinello himself. He is also planning to auction off his original game prototype, hoping to raise at least another $35,000, says toy designer Tim Walsh, who is spearheading the fundraiser.
London Hotel Offers Magical ‘Harry Potter’ Experience for Muggles LONDON – Harry Potter fans can mark another place to travel to in England as a new themed hotel has opened up in London. The 163-year-old Georgian House hotel has themed its business to be a replica of the set used in the successful films. Guests will be able to find replicated Hogwarts rooms as well as personalized wizarding packages, including a tour of central landmarks from the films and a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio for The Making of Harry Potter Tour. If that wasn’t enough, special guest rooms will even include trunks, potion bottles, cauldrons, and spell books. But all the magic comes at a cost, and they will not accept golden galleons, silver sickles, or bronze knuts. Prices start at £249 per night in the smaller Wizard Chamber for a threeperson room, and £363 for five.
Antibiotics
a A team from the Texas A&M Health Science Center, led by Dr. Carolyn Cannon, has been
tie Le
By Ka
It’s that time of year again, and by the end of the season most of us will have lined up at the doctor’s office at least once in search of what’s considered the cure-all drug for bacterial infections: antibiotics. Despite their benefits, concerns about antibiotics have increased in recent years, specifically in regard to overuse. This issue has largely led to bacteria developing with a resistance to antibiotics, which makes them especially hard to treat. One such bacterium is a vicious strain of staph infection known as methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
researching to see how a new compound will fare in battling (MSRA) and other multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). This antimicrobial was synthesized by Dr. Lászlo Kürti, a medicinal chemist at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and with the help of Dr. Cannon and her team, it should lead to a new and improved way to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections. The new compound has been in development for over a decade and could revolutionize the way we treat infections. One potential problem with replacing existing antibiotics (made from penicillin and cephalosporin) with these new compounds is that they are not water soluble, which
Norberto Tavares de Lira reported that he was cleaning a car outside his home when a gang of four criminals forced him into his home, tied up his hands and feet with a phone cord, and took his wife hostage upstairs in another room. Norberto, who goes by Chuck Norbas in Brazil, trains in karate, boxing and muay Thai. He reported that the men discovered they had hassled Norris’ doppelganger when they spied a shirt the star wore on screen with the word “Defender” written on the back. He said he told the men to take whatever they wanted, as long as they were careful with his wife, who has a knee problem. “It seemed to do the trick because they obeyed,” he said. A neighbor reportedly called the police after seeing Norberto being pushed inside his home. They were able to apprehend three of the attackers, who were caught with the couple’s car, jewelry, watches, cash and two television sets, according to Daily Mirror.
means they cannot be as easily converted. That is where Dr. Cannon and her team, who specialize in nanotechnology, come in. Nanoparticle is just a fancy name for any particle between 1 and 100 nanometers in size, and even the biggest nanoparticle is only a fraction of the size of bacteria. Utilizing a complicated coating system, scientists plan to prevent the nanoparticles (Kürti’s compound) from releasing their antibiotics until they have reached the targeted bacteria. This means that antibiotics could be concentrated at the infection site instead of a widespread dose given to the entire body, resulting in more effective treatment and less damage to helpful bacteria caught in the crossfire.
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • pg 9
Shane Walker @ Revolution By Kate Williams
Indie-rocker Shane Walker will be gracing the stage on November 7 at Revolution Bar and Café. The singer/songwriter, beekeeper, and high school Spanish teacher is based in Waco. He launched his career when he won the University Songwriter Competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 2002. That same year, he formed a band called The Gougers and put out three records including the AMA Radio chart topper A Long Day for the Weathervane. The band broke up in 2010, and Walker began singing with a new band called St. Cloud. “Being creative is all about starting over,” Walker says. “Good beekeepers know this. Effective teachers know this. That’s what art is and that’s what life is.” Walker is switching it up with a new release full of retro sounds and dynamic lyrics on the deeper end of the thought spectrum. The new solo album is scheduled for a winter 2014 release.
the scoop WHAT: SHANE WALKER WHERE: REVOLUTION CAFE AND BAR WHEN: NOV. 7
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 11
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First Friday in Downtown Bryan By Eunice De Luna
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Instagram @maroonweekly
The first Friday of every month has a special meaning to the BCS community. Citizens love to let their hair down and gather in historic downtown Bryan to appreciate the arts and culture College Station’s sister city has to offer. If it’s your first time at FF, the opportunities are plentiful, including many restaurants and food trucks, packed bars with drink specials, live music on the streets and inside venues, shopping in numerous boutiques, and even a free movie in Gloria Sale Park at dusk. To start the night off, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from. Stop by Casa Rodriguez for some authentic Mexican food, or if you’re craving pasta, there’s always Caffe Capri. Downtown also has Indian food now (Taz), a great Bavarian restaurant (Brauhaus), and a localvore cafe (the Village). Downtown Bryan’s bustling with boutiques. If you’re looking for something inexpensive, there’s Alice’s Attic thrift store; if you’re looking for something trendy, Haute Couture might be more your speed. Live music is one of the main attractions at First Friday. Grand Stafford Theater has established quite a name for themselves as a music venue, and Revolution Café, Murphy’s Law, and the Village Cafe all offer live music, as well. As you walk down Main Street, make sure to keep an eye out for Maroon Weekly. We’ll be rolling out the “Maroon Carpet” in front of the Stafford and taking photos of passersby. Don’t worry; we’ll make you look good. Real good.
the scoop WHAT: FIRST FRIDAY WHERE: DOWNTOWN BRYAN WHEN: NOV. 7 pg 12 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
FRIDAY
BRYAN BATT Star Bryan Batt will perform his acclaimed cabaret show “Batt On A Hot Tin Roof”
SATURDAY
TUESDAY
Color fights, DJs, live music, and food–Colorjam is bringing it all to Wolf Pen Creek.
Connect with 7,000 of your closest friends in Reed Arena for Breakaway.
COLORJAM
BREAKAWAY
WEEKLY // PICKS WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6 - NOVEMBER 12, 2014
FIND MORE AT: WWW.MAROONWEEKLY.COM/EVENTS
THE VINTAGE RAMEKINS
Formed by two friends in 2008, Bryan locals, The Vintage Ramekins’ unique blend of blues, rock, and soul offers something for everyone. No strangers to the Revolution stage, you can see them perform Thursday, November 6. REVOLUTION CAFE AND BAR 211 S. Main, Bryan, Nov. 5, 2014 8:00 PM $5
THE WEEKS
The Weeks are a rock and roll band originally from Jackson, MS. The Weeks extraordinary energy and outsized performances – not to mention a series of well-received independently issued releases – earned them a fervent fan following and ultimately, a deal with the like-minded Serpents and Snakes Records, who reissued the band’s second
sweat and to meet new people at this Aggie hot spot! Visit www.mambosentertainment. com/salsasaturdays.html for more details. VILLAGE CAFÉ 210 W. 26th St, Bryan Nov. 8, 2014 8:00 PM $5
RANDY ROGERS
BREAKAWAY
Randy Rogers band will be hitting the stage for another amazing show. Randy Rogers band is a Texas American Country band, that have recorded four studio albums and two live albums, and have charted seven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Doors open at 9pm. HURRICAN HARRY’S 313 College Ave. College Station, Nov. 7, 2014 9:00 PM $15
AARON WATSON
THURSDAY 11/06
performances with good, old-fashioned business savvy, Watson has grown – night-by-night, fan-by-fan, album-by-album, one honky-tonk stage at a time – into an unstoppable force in Texas MusicOpening up the show at 10:30 will be the Cody Bryan Band. BOULEVARD 217 217 University. College Station, Nov. 6, 2014 8:00 PM $10-15
full-length outing, Gutter Gaunt Gangster. The Bots are a Los Angeles band of brothers. Their distinctive sound brings together the veracity of garage/punk while paying homage to the American blues and ballad tradition. Before relocating, Sol Cat’s members spent their time across the country, Miami to Los Angeles, New York City to the Gulf of Mexico. Musical influences span just as wide, yet an eclectic and oceanic resonance remains prevalent in their sound. GRAND STAFFORD THEATER 106 S. Main, Bryan, Nov. 6, 2014 8:00 PM $10
FRIDAY
AARON WATSON
11/07
Amarillo native, Aaron Watson will be hitting the stage at Boulevard 217 show casing his Texas Country hits. With an uncanny knack for mixing great songs and unforgettable
SATURDAY 11/08 COLORJAM
Color fights, DJs, live music, and food– Colorjam is bringing it all to Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. Amidst people flinging color and making rainbows out of one another, Green River Ordinace, Sunny Sweeney, Hudson Moore, and DJ Tony Styles will be performing. For more information and tickets, visit colorjamfest.com. Prices are $15 and increase to $19 on the day of the show. WOLF PEN CREEK College Station, Nov. 8, 2014 8:00 PM $15-19
TUESDAY
11/11
Join thousands of students each week at this non-denominational service with live music and a time of teaching. REED ARENA TAMU Campus Nov. 11, 2014 9:00 PM FREE
WEDNESDAY 11/12 SALSA WEDNESDAYS
Three-time Best of BCS winner for Best Dancing, Salsa Wednesdays begins with a 1.5 hour professional salsa lesson for beginners, no partner necessary. Lessons are from 8-9:30pm and are followed by social dancing til midnight. $8 for lesson and dancing, $5 for dancing if you arrive at 9:30pm. VILLAGE CAFÉ 210 W. 26th St, Bryan Nov. 12, 2014 8:00 PM $8
SALSA SATURDAYS
Voted Best Night of Dancing for three years, Salsa Saturdays starts with a fun “30-Minute Crash Course Salsa Lesson” at 10pm followed by a hot night of dancing. Come prepared to
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13
106. S. Main St, Bryan, TX
THE PREMIER LIVE MUSIC VENUE IN THE BRAZOS VALLEY 11/06 | DOORS @ 8PM
THE WEEKS W/ THE BOTS AND SOL CAT 11/07 | DOORS @ 8PM
FREE FIRST FRIDAY CONCERT FEAT. ROXY ROCA & HAZY RAY 11/08 | DOORS @ 8PM
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS 11/09 | DOORS @ 3PM
SECOND SUNDAY FILM: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL 11/11 | DOORS @ 4:30PM
CRAFT COCKTAIL & CRAFT BEER TUESDAY 11/13 | DOORS @ 8PM
SIGNALS W/ AVINDALE, ODD FOLKS AND ADULT
GRANDSTAFFORDTHEATER.COM
Love, Drinking, and Gambling By Daniella Delgado & Connie Song
Where’s the closest place you can find “Love, Drinking, and Gambling?” If your first guess is Vegas, try again. You can find it at Rudder Auditorium on November 9 at 5pm. The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra will be playing composer Russell Peck’s “The Glory and the Grandeur.” Peck found inspiration from world-renown composers Mozart and Beethoven, but puts a soulful twist in his pieces due to his upbringing in Detroit, Michigan. “Grandeur” is comprised primarily of the percussion section of the orchestra, beginning with loud, booming percussion, which is then accompanied by cymbals, gongs, and marimbas for tonality. The most notable moment of “Grandeur” is when three percussionists unite on a single marimba for a solo. The piece then goes full circle by returning its focus to percussion. From start to finish, “Grandeur” is unique not only for its percussive diversity but also for Peck’s experimentation and playfulness. Why the event is called “Love, Drinking, and Gambling?” Well, following the event’s intermission, 300 musicians will gather to perform Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” the first and most well-known part of his trilogy, Trionfi (Triumphs). Orff was an active soldier in the German army, which sprung his interest in medieval German poetry, which then became his inspiration for “Carmina Burana.” The trilogy as a whole is a celebration of the triumph over topical vices of the 13th century: drinking, gambling, gluttony, and lust. The production will also feature guest artists, such as soprano Bronwen Forbay, tenor Randall Umstead, baritone Michael Kelly, the Brazos Valley Chorale, and the Texas A&M Century Singers.
the scoop WHAT: BRAZOS VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WHERE: RUDDER AUDITORIUM WHEN: NOV. 9 @ 5PM pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Grand Stafford Weekend Preview By Drew Knight
November 6 @ 8pm The Weeks The weeks have staked their claim as heirs to the timeless Southern rock tradition. They were featured in Rolling Stone magazine after a raucous set at NYC’s Mercury Lounge, and they were discovered by Kings of Leon and quickly signed to their label. They’ve been on the road ever since. The Bots This band of brothers from Los Angeles has a distinctive sound that brings together the veracity of garage/punk while paying homage to the American blues and ballad tradition. They have three self-released albums and have toured with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and they’ve performed on the Vans Warped Tour. Sol Cat Sol Cat’s musical influence spans the eclectic, from dance rock to pop psychedelic. They’re based out of Tennessee, with one guitar player from Bryan, Texas. Smooth grooves and synth layers similar to The Talking Heads are balanced by bouncy bass and slick guitar riffs.
November 7 @ 8pm Free First Friday concert featuring: ROXY ROCA This seven-piece soul/funk group from Austin has been exploding in the scene with high-profile shows with B.B. King and Fitz and The Tantrums. With goals to go “straight to the top,” the band says they’re “on a mission from God.” Hazy Ray A New Orleans favorite, this horn-rock group enjoys playing all across the dirty south. As Grand Stafford regulars, they never fail to disappoint. Taz & Co. Since beginning his college career at Texas A&M, Taz has made a name for himself in the BryanCollege Station music scene. As a multi-instrumentalist, Taz’s music can be described as electric and avante garde.
November 8 @ 8pm Midnight Express Midnight Express covers classic Rock ‘n’ Roll hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and more. Based in BCS, the band consists of nine professional musicians that include a four-piece horn section, and they all strive for nothing less than perfection when playing the classics.
the scoop WHAT: STAFFORD WEEKEND LINEUP WHERE: GRAND STAFFORD THEATER WHEN: NOV. 6 - NOV. 8
Sparkling
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1501 University Dr. East #100 • 979-691-0677 Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10a.m. to 6p.m.
(Starbucks Center across from Home Depot) In Store FInancIng avaIl able
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15
pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY •Sept. • Oct. 22, 3v, 2014 2014 •• maroonweekly.com maroonweekly.com
Colorjam Fest By Eunice De Luna
@ Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater
Are you ready to get colorful? Colorjam Color Music Festival is painting the town on Saturday, November 8 at Wolf Pen Creek. Hosted by DJ Tony Styles of 101.4 KRBE Houston, the event features live music from Green River Ordinance, Sunny Sweeney, Hudson Moore, and Hunter Todd. There will also be a special after-party performance by local band Votary. If you haven’t been to a color festival, this is how it works. Participants will be given packets of color and throughout the festival there will be countdowns to “color throws.” At the end of the countdown, participants throw the color (packets of dried, colorful dust—don't worry, it's completely harmless) which ignites a “color fight.” The live performances will occur between the color throws. Green River Ordinance Originally from Fort Worth, Green River Ordinance has been on the music scene for over a decade. They are an American Rock band that has shared the stage with Bon Jovi, Train, Zac Brown, Counting Crows, and Goo Goo Dolls. Their music has been featured in three films and on countless network and cable shows. Sunny Sweeney Country star Sunny Sweeney hails from Texas and is known for her powerhouse vocals. The songstress released a single “From a Table Away” back in 2010 and it became the highest charting Billboard debut single from a female country artist in four years. In 2013 she was nominated for Top New Female Artist category at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Her third album, Provoked, is out now. Hudson Moore Fort Worth native Hudson Moore has performed for thousands of fans at both Austin City Limits and South By Southwest. The country artist released several singles, such as “Fireworks” that climbed to #1 on the Texas Music chart. He's opened for ZZ Top, Alan Jackson, Pat Green, and Chris Young. Hunter Todd Hunter Todd is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter from Cypress, Texas. He is currently in the studio working on his first EP, available on iTunes in December. Votary Local College Station band Votary is a four-piece indie pop group. They released their debut album in 2013 and have started working on their second release. The fun starts at 11am, tickets are $15 in advance and $19 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at ColorJamFest.com.
the scoop WHAT: COLORJAM FEST WHERE: WOLF PEN CREEK AMPHITHEATER WHEN: NOV. 8 @ 11AM maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 17
there’s an
#APP4THAT DELECTABLE WINES - BY CONNIE SONG Calling all wine enthusiasts: Delectable Wines is the essential wine app for you. It helps break down the process of decoding wine labels through the click of a button. First, you take a picture of the wine bottle on the app. Within seconds, you will know what type of wine you have on your hands (Merlot, Meritage, Blend, etc.), where it was produced, who it was produced by, and also see reviews and tasting notes from experts. You can also keep track of your favorite wines; for instance, you are out at dinner with friends and you just had the most amazing vino of your life. Well, take a picture of the label and COST: FREE Delectable will remember it for you. Lastly, the app can help you discover new wines from its huge database, which you can purchase directly from the app. OPEN TABLE - BY DANIELLA DELGADO Wish you could go to a restaurant and walk to a table without the wait? Want a way to see exactly what tables are available for your party size and location? Have no fear, OpenTable is here. The app allows you to try new restaurants in your hometown or a vacation spot by scanning the area (via your GPS coordinates) for places to eat. First, you enter a date, time, party size and location and boom--instant results with all the restaurants in your area. All that’s left to do is pick the table you want and it’s yours, no more long lines and growling tummies. If that’s not enough, you can earn reward points for every reservation you make and cash them in at any OpenTable restaurant. OpenTable COST: FREE also allows you to refine your search by price or cuisine and allows users see restaurant menus and read reviews. CAMSCANNER - BY RACHEL PICKERING Are you tired of searching for a scanner for your documents? Then download the CamScanner app. It scans, stores, syncs and collaborates across smartphones, tablets, and computers. No more worrying if the copy machine at the office is working. CamScanner is the number one mobile document scanning and sharing app. CamScanner allows you to use your phone camera to scan receipts, notes, cards, etc. Not only will you be allowed to scan documents easier, you’ll have the options to crop and auto-enhance documents so they look clear and sharp. CamScanner also makes it easy to share docs in PDF or JPEG format with others via social media, as an email attachment, or by sending a doc link.
THINK
04.17.13 | maroonweekly.com | pg 7
Instantly print out docs from CamScanner with a nearby printer or fax documents to over 30 countries directly from the app.
pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
COST: FREE
Matt Stillwell @ Hurricane Harry’s By Eunice De Luna
Sigma Chi Fraternity brings you Matt Stillwell to Harry’s, Monday, November 10. Stillwell is an American country artist from North Carolina. At Western Carolina University, he was an All Conference player on his baseball team. During his junior year at WCU, he had to decide between his two passions: baseball or music. He chose music. “I could have chased the dream and went and tried out and played independent ball, but I thought, ‘If I’m going to chase something,’ I’d rather it be music,” Stillwell said. In 2008, he released his debut single, “Shine”, which debuted #25 on iTunes country chart with the song’s music video reaching #5 on CMT Pure. Aside from headlining his own shows, he’s opened for country superstars Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, and Jason Aldean. Stillwell released his sophomore album, Right on Time, this past year. Doors open at 9pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $25 with a t-shirt. Tickets can be purchased online at harrys. bcsclubs.com/events. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Huntsman Cancer Research Center, Children’s Miracle Network, and The Sigma Chi Foundation (for educational programming).
the scoop WHAT: MATT STILLWELL WHERE: HURRICANE HARRY’S WHEN: NOV. 10 @ 9PM
Wood-Style Flooring Flat-Screens in Every Apartment Stand-Up Tanning Booth Fully-Equipped Fitness Center Basketball & Sand Volleyball Courts Individual Leases Resort-Style Pool Game/Activity Room
thedistrictonluther.com
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By Cheyenne Mueller
Liberal Arts Ouija Suspense (PG-13) Know what sounds like a GREAT idea? Playing around with a haunted Ouija board that resulted in the death of one your closest friends. Nothing can go wrong, right? C’mon kids, have you ever seen a horror movie? Laine (Olivia Cooke, Bates Motel) and Debbie (Shelley Hennig, Days of Our Lives) are BFFs who used to play with Ouija boards when they were kids – the obvious choice for a child’s toy. Flash-forward several years and Debbie finds a Ouija board in an attic and decides, “Hey, I’m going to tinker with this dusty thing because childhood,” (she does not actually say this). Then...she dies in her house after releasing a demonic spirit-obviously. Devastated over Debbie’s death, Laine gathers a group of people and uses the Ouija board to try to reconnect with her dead gal pal. In a stroke of pure genius, Laine warns her friends that they have to say goodbye after they finish playing (manners are important) and they should never use the Ouija in a graveyard (but the house your friend died in is OK). You’ll never guess what happens. In their effort to find Debbie on the other side, they actually release a demonic spirit. Isn’t that crazy?! Then the group is picked off one by one until two remain standing and the horror is over… OR IS IT?! (There’s a cliffhanger in there, too.)
Netflix (PG-13)
(Just a head’s up: this film review is written by a senior Liberal Arts major who is fervently trying to pretend like graduation is not rapidly approaching. Also, keep the Liberal Arts jokes to yourself; they’ve all been heard before.) Jesse (Josh Rodan, How I Met Your Mother) lives in New York. He’s 35-years-old, recently single, works in admissions at a college in New York, and – like so many Liberal Arts majors do – wonders what he’s doing with his life (only I can make Liberal Arts jokes). After getting a phone call from retiring professor, Peter Hoberg (Richard Jenkins, Cabin in the Woods), Jesse heads back to his alma mater in the booming state of Ohio to send off his second favorite professor. There Jesse meets Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen, Godzilla), a 19-year-old college sophomore who challenges and excites him despite their 16-year age difference. Eventually, Jesse has to return to his life in New York, but not before Zibby sends him off with a classical music mixed tape and her P.O. box. The two exchange several letters before rendezvousing again with more romantic motives in mind. During his return, however, Jesse is introduced to Nat (Zac Efron, That Awkward Moment), a free spirit who’s treading his own path through college, and Dean (John Magaro, My Soul to Take), an incredibly intelligent student who’s had previous manic episodes. Jesse sees Dean as a younger version of himself and takes him under his wing. While serving as a mentor, observer, and romantic interest to three different college students, Jesse’s able to ignite his passion again.
This movie is bad. The writing is bad. The acting is bad. The scares are cheap. There’s no plot line, and the reveal for the big bad ghost is nothing original. Using a Ouija board for movie material is tired. Ouija is Stiles White’s directorial debut and he co-wrote the screenplay with Juliet Snowden (The Possession). White has worked in the industry before, primarily in special effects. He should have just stayed there. Sometimes change is good; sometimes it’s not.
Josh Rodan wrote, directed, and starred in Liberal Arts. While a bit of an egotistical endeavor, Rodan’s project displays his creative competence, but it’s going to be difficult for some people to remove him from his Ted Mosby character in How I Met Your Mother. Elizabeth Olsen portrays a perfect Zibby, but as it is with most casting choices (and this totally isn’t her fault), she seems too old to be 19-years-old, even though she’s supposed to be wiser than her years. Teenagers just don’t look like that. Zac Efron was surprisingly enjoyable in this film (a first). His character wasn’t womanizing and he never hogged the screen. Liberal Arts captures what it means to “grow up” across the generations – making the transition from college, to real world, to retiring.
Ouija is 89 minutes long and rated PG-13 for disturbing violent content, frightening horror images, and thematic material.
Liberal Arts is 97 minutes long and rated PG-13 for sexual content including references, mature thematic material, and some teen drinking.
pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
1. Nightcrawler
In desparate need for work, Lou Bloom stumbles into the world of LA’s crime journalism. His obsession for getting the perfect story blurs the line between what’s ethical and completely immoral. R (117 min)
2. Ouija
After a mysterious death of one of their peers, a group of friends use a Ouija board as part of a game. What they uncover is a sinister force that forces them to confront their most terrifying fears. PG-13 (89 min)
3. Fury
Right before the end of WWII, a Sherman tank and five crewman are dispatched on a mission that leaves them outnumbered and outgunned. With a rookie slowing things down, the men face impossible odds in a heroic attempt to hold a crossroad from the Axis. R (134 min)
4. Gone Girl
Nick Dunne’s wife, Amy, disappears and he becomes the prime suspect. He defends his innocence, but Amy’s journal paints a very different picture of her husband. The truth, however, is much different than the tales both Nick and Amy have spun. R (149 min)
5. The Book of Life
Manolo faces a difficult decision where he must pick between his family and his heart. In the process, he experiences three different worlds where he is confronted with his greatest fears. PG (95 min)
6. John Wick
A former hitman is forced out of retirement to kill the men who took everything from him. R (101 min)
7. St. Vincent
Oliver’s parents just divorced and in his mother’s custody, they move to a new city to start fresh. He forges an unlikely friendship with their new neighbor
Vincent, an abrasive war vet who manages to fend off everyone except for Oliver. PG-13 (102 min)
8. Alexander...Very Bad Day
Alexander is no stranger to unfortunate circumstances. After wondering if his family ever experienced the same misfortunes, his mom, dad, brother, and sister all share their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. PG (81 min)
9. The Judge
Hank Palmer is a big city lawyer who returns home after finding that his father, the town judge, is accused of murder. Hank is forced to uncover the truth and consequently reconnects with his estranged family. R (141 min)
10. Dracula Untold
Vlad Tepes is forced to make a deal with malicious supernatural entities to protect his family and kingdom. He struggles with his humanity while fighting the evil that now resides in him. PG-13 (92 min)
11. The Best of Me
After separated for 20 years, a pair of high school sweethearts are reunited in their hometown, bringing back old memories and awakening old rivalries. PG-13 (117 min)
12. Birdman
Riggan is a washed-up actor who once played the iconic superhero, Birdman. His career screeched to a halt after refusing to make a Birdman 4, and as he attempts to reclaim his former glory, he must deal with his ego and estranged family. R (119 min)
13. The Maze Runner
Thomas wakes up with no memory and in an ascending elevator. He’s delivered to an all-male community where he learns that the walls that enclose them leads out to an extraordinary maze. His arrival serves as the catalyst for their escape from the walls,
but it comes with a price. PG-13 (113 min)
14. Before I Go to Sleep
As a result of a tragic accident, Christine wakes up every day without a memory of the day before. However, one day, truths come forward that force her to reevaluate everything she knows…before she forgets again. R (92 min)
15. Annabelle
The prequel to The Conjuring, a couple experience horrific paranormal phenomenon caused by a possessed vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by Satanists. R (98 min)
16. The Equalizer
After believing he escaped his troubled past, Robert McCall is called to action after seeing a young girl who is under the control of Russian gangsters. He gets involved, reawakening his inner brutality. R (131 min)
17. Dear White People
A satirical comedy that follows four very different black students at an Ivy league university who converge together after a controversial theme at a Halloween party. R (100 min)
18. The Boxtrolls
Based on the children’s novel by Alan Snow, a young orphaned boy who was raised by box-dwelling trolls ventures out into the real world to save his adopted family from an evil terminator. PG (96 min)
19. Addicted
An art gallery owner enters into an affair with an attractive painter, jeopardizing her marriage and blossoming career. R (105 min)
20. Saw 10th Anniversary
Two men wake up with a dead body lying between them in the lair of a serial killer. Their captor, who goes by the name “Jigsaw,” forces the men to undergo a series of sadistic tests if they wish to survive. R (103 min)
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21
“reversible me” Across 1 He had quite a few word 6 Vantage points 11 Jazzman’s job 14 Dangly throat thing 15 “It’s Your Thing” singers The ___ Brothers 16 Bird on the ground 17 Two-time U.S. Open champ 19 Decide 20 Voight’s daughter 21 Niacin’s vitamin number 23 Ate just some 26 Alabama Slammer ingredient 27 Area code 801 resident 28 French film nominated for five Oscars 29 Estonia or Latvia, once: abbr. 30 Like Pac-Man and bell bottoms 32 “Melrose Place” actor Rob 35 Items that sometimes get lost together 37 “Beetle Bailey” figure 39 Caterpillar’s structure 40 Like caviar 42 They may be sordid 44 Teachers’ org. 45 Word that turns sarcastic when said blandly 47 Upbeat 49 Plugs the battery in 51 Snack that leaves a residue 52 Alert while driving 53 Nash of “Reno 911!” 54 Cloud chamber particle 55 “War of the World” actress 60 Number cruncher 61 Absinthe flavoring 62 “Hey, Soul Sister” band 63 Louisville Slugger wood 64 Diplomatic skills 65 Get the feeling
Answers
pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov. 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Down 1 Jamaican export 2 Ab ___ (from the beginning) 3 Magazine holder 4 Wood known for a ring 5 Place to serve your own guacamole and salsa 6 Drop in 7 “That makes sense” 8 Letter between “kay” and “em” 9 Toy that won’t fall down, per its ads 10 Part of a heartbeat 11 CIA Director, 1997-2004 12 Pyramide du Louvre architect 13 “___ Tag!” 18 Some dresses 22 “Ocean’s Eleven” job 23 Corn covers 24 On a ship 25 Actress in “Splash” 26 Urban pollutions 28 Impressive display 31 Barcelona bar food 33 First month, in Mazatlan 34 Goes no farther 36 Baby bird? 38 Cut into glass 41 Surface for some stretching 43 Toms’ mates 46 Eye part 48 Donkey with a pinned-on tail 49 Girl, in Guatemala 50 B-ball 51 French movie theaters 53 Conde ___ Traveler 56 Flair of pro wrestling 57 Leather color 58 Follow-up to “Angela’s Ashes” 59 Number that’s its own cube 2014 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)
Aggies Looking to Stay Competitive ll
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Football The Aggies’ season has been a roller coaster so far, with thrilling wins against South Carolina and Arkansas and embarrassing defeats to Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Alabama. While A&M isn’t as good as we thought they were when they were in the Top 10, they aren’t as bad as the team that got shutout by the Crimson Tide.
s Ru
B can’t just simply quit like they did against Alabama. If you saw them walk-on to the field before the game, you knew it was going to be a long afternoon. The recruit reaction to the Alabama game was disheartening and the Aggies are going to have to improve their play if they want to keep this 2015 class together.
Volleyball The Aggies continue to have a spectacular season after they upset #16 Kentucky at home as they head to the top half of the SEC standings.
overall. Shooting guard Admon Gilder is No.66. The initial signing date for the players is November 12. While the Aggies look forward to adding these four to the 2015-16 teams, the 2014-15 seasons should provide plenty of excitement as they look to get to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Billy Kennedy’s tenure. A&M plays two exhibition games at home as they host the Texas A&MCommerce on Nov 5 and Northwestern State at Nov 14.
Freshman libero Amy Nettles won SEC Defensive Player of the Week for her contributions to A&M upsetting Kentucky and also beating the Georgia Bulldogs. In those matches, Nettles posted career-highs and match-highs for digs with 4.89. While first place in the SEC might be out of reach for A&M as Florida is undefeated in conference play, second place is in reach. The Aggies start a three game home stand as they host #25 LSU on Thursday, Ole Miss on Sunday and finally Tennessee on November 16.
Though the Aggies won’t face a three-week stretch like that again, they still have to deal with Auburn and LSU. Auburn has already defeated Kansas State and LSU while LSU has upset Ole Miss. Both teams have lost to Mississippi State and have yet to face Alabama. So what are we looking for in the last three weeks of the season? Improvement and determination. The Aggies
Men’s Basketball It’s been a while since the basketball team has made headlines that would catch people’s attention during beloved football season. The Aggies received a 5-star commitment from 6-9 power forward Elijah Thomas to catapult their four-player recruiting class to #2 overall, according to Rivals.com. They trail only basketball powerhouse Arizona. The loaded class includes players who are ranked within the top 70 in the country and who all reside in the Dallas area. Thomas is the highest ranked player in the class at No. 20 overall. Plano West teammates center Tyler Davis and small forward D.J. Hogg check in at No. 28 and No. 33
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 5, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 23
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